Reviews for J.T. Farnham's in Essex, MA
Best seafood on Cape Ann. Haddock boat was overflowing with moist, piping hot fish. For only $15. Scallop chowder had lots of... big not-dried-out scallops. Everything we?ve ever had here was great. Nice view from the outdoor seating which is rusticpicnic tables. You can?t bring alcohol outside though. Read more
Really fresh seafood! The shrimp, haddock, and clam strips were so good and perfectly fried. The lobster rolls were succulent... and the seafood chowder had huge pieces of shrimp, scallops, and lobster. Yum! There is always a line so be prepared to wait. They only accept cash so leave your credit cards at home. Read more
My family travel for food aside from seeing places???? we're Filipino so we are big on seafood. Best fried seafood we ever... had! You can taste the seafood & with a light tasteful breading! We are particular with fried food. This did not leave too muchgrease on our fingers or the paper plate! Price is worth the taste and serving, you will not regret Will definitely love to comeback! Thanks for the wonderful experience! Read more
First thing, they are cash only but they have an ATM on site. Amazing food, best clam stips and lobster bisque we have ever... had. Great seafood chowder, I like it thicker but tha is just my preference. Sit outside and enjoy the marsh and the birds. We had leftover calm strip in the picture. Read more
Typical Massachusetts seafood restaurant on marshland with a view of the Crane estate. It's got outdoor and indoor seating.... Though be aware that indoor seating is cramped and outdoor seating is grubby and infested with tiny biting flies. It wasn'tenjoyable sitting in full sun and being attacked by insects while trying to eat a $40 lobster. The ordering system is reallystrange and there is very little flow. You walk in and stand in a narrow area and have to walk back down between the folks inline when you've placed your order. There is an outdoor pickup window to grab your tray from when your order is called. I'mgoing to be honest, for the price, the food was just okay. I can wait for market price to drop later in the summer, and I canmake a better boiled lobster, with steamers, corn, and a thick chowder, and enjoy it at my own house. My lobster was not freshlyprepared and with no water and little loose white blood seen coming out while cracking, the meat was rubbery and unreasonablydifficult to extract from smaller joints even for a New England native. The tamale was also a strange brown color and waswatery, as if it had gone off while sitting around cooked all day. I couldn't eat the meat from the body because of it. I wasdissapointed that eating outside in the biting fly infestation was really this unpleasant. They also don't have steamer clams onthe menu which is heartbreaking. I think you really have to enjoy the company you've brought along for your visit. This is moreabout the MA summer experience that anything. It's hot, buggy, messy, greasy but it's also with friends. I'll probably tryWoodman's up the road next time. Read more
I finally made it to J.T. Farnham's, completing the Essex-Ipswich, Massachusetts fried whole belly clams triple crown. Farnham's... did not disappoint. I was there at 11 a.m. and had the first batch in fresh oil. Light, fluffy batter and deliciously sweetsmall-medium native local clams. Very friendly staff. I can't wait to stop by again. Wham bam thank you clam! Read more
We got combo and fried lobster. They served hot! and fresh. The combo is a little bit pricey for me compared to the portion and... another one nearby. The batter is really different it's more firm which is I like it. It's not oily or soggy at all which ismost incredible for me!!! The views is fabulous!!! I really enjoyed eating here. One thing I am disappointed is calm chowder,it's a milk soup. It's not sticky at all! Like I was drinking milk. Read more
Doesn't take credit cards. Modest restaurant. Outside seating available. Seafood chowder was exceptional.All the fish is very... fresh. Small off-street parking lot. We parked on the road. Read more